Tuesday, February 4, 2014

You
get the call and the offer for the job. It is tempting to say “I’ll take it!”
immediately, but with a gracious thank you and an, “I am excited about this
opportunity,” step back and think, “Is this the right offer for me?”

Let the
employer know that as it is an important decision, you want to make the right
one for both yourself and the organization. It is not inappropriate to request
the details of the offer in writing With further information, you will be able
to make a better decision so you do in fact find a fit and an offer that will
work for you. To determine if you want to negotiate the offer, and if so, how, here
are a few guidelines:

Evaluate

Determine
your own financial needs as well as the typical salary range for the position,
all relative to the cost of living for the area in which you will be living and
working. Housing, transportation, and student loan payments are only a few of
your expenses to calculate. To research salaries, tools such as the UNL
Career Service Salary Report, NACE salary calculator
and Glassdoor can
help.

Evaluate
too, the complete offer. Keep in mind that your annual compensation is more than
just your salary. It can include other benefits, such as health, vision, and
dental insurance and retirement plan contributions.

Consider
also your employer. Non-profit and government organizations are often not able
to negotiate beyond the original offer. Your research will help you determine
if negotiating is typically not an option with the offering employer.

If you
determine you want to negotiate salary or other aspects of the offer, know what
you will accept and not accept. You can pitch a reasonable ideal, but be
prepared for a counter proposal and ready to respond.

At
this point, you need to develop your proposal. While online tools can be
useful, you must also consider your unique qualifications for the position. You
may want to seek advice from faculty, career counselors, or alumni for insight
beyond online resources. Keep in mind also, that salary may just be one
negotiable part of an offer. For example, you could request an early review
with the possibility of an increase at that point if your performance indicates
such would be appropriate.

Present

In
beginning the negotiation, again thank the employer for the offer and reiterate
your interest in the position. You may want to introduce the question of
negotiation by introducing your research, “Based on my research of similar
positions in this location an offer closer to (your identified proposed figure)
seems appropriate to me. Is there any room for negotiation in your offer?”
Approach negotiating a job offer as a professional conversation en route to a
win-win situation. When you decide the offer is acceptable, whether it has
changed or not, you may at that point verbally accept it, but request
for the details in writing again.

For assistance on evaluating and preparing to present a
negotiation, contact Career Services:

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Happy 2014! It’s time to start fresh! Think of all the things you want to accomplish this year. Do you want to graduate debt-free (or close to it!), or buy a car? Because it’s all possible!

The main thing you can do TODAY is stop overspending and start saving money and/or paying down debts. It doesn’t need to be torture. Make it a game, a challenge!

While everyone has their own version of what being financially fit is, the main thing is that it is a fun challenge. Do you think it’s possible to find extra money in your already tight college budget?

Use our Money Fitness Challenge form to easily plan your own challenge!

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

DON'T DO IT!! PUT... THE... CARD... DOWN!! Let's face it we're college students and when we don't have money we rely on two things our parents or our credit cards. And since most of us are too prideful to ask our parents for a little more help we turn towards the credit cards. But that my dear friends is why we are poor in the first place. So, for RULE #3: HIDE YOUR CREDIT CARDS.Credit cards are the easiest way to get yourself into trouble. You think that you can just use it and then pay it off but pretty soon it's maxed out and your paying the minimum payment and it's racking up interest as we speak! The best way to use a credit card is to ONLY use it when you have extra money put aside that you can immediately pay it off with. Doing that will save you money AND help to improve your credit all while avoiding those stupid interest fee's. Also, a good way to use your credit card is to only use it for one thing every month. Like using it for gas only or for paying off a certain bill every month. It's best to use it for something that you can pay online that way you can leave your card at home in your bills folder. Then you won't be tempted to use it when you are out with your friends. "Out of sight, Out of mind!"

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

It's Christmas time and we all know what that means! Spending all your money on presents, cramming for finals, and NO sleep! As for your finals and sleep from one student to another I say good luck guys! But for spending all your money on presents I have some ideas!!

RULE #2: KEEP IT CHEAP AND BE UNIQUE!

It's easy to get caught up in this seasons sales but if your going to spend you might as well save while your at it right?! So, how about we start with the easy ideas! First off if you have a smartphone or ipad or tablet you NEED to get "Retail Me Not"!! It is an app full of coupons that you can use in store OR online. It also notifies you of stores in your area with sales going on. Can I get a hell yeah!

Secondly, keep it simple. For the girls in the family make crafts, buy cheap picture frames, or buy in bulk from Bath and Body (they almost always have buy 3 get 3 free on soaps, lotions, and perfumes). For the guys go on eBay and buy a phone case of their favorite sports team, or buy them a shirt on sale at their favorite store.

It's important to remember you don't have to get them the most expensive present in the world for them to like it! Just stick with the things that you know about them and their likes and interests and look around for something cheap and unique!

Watch for sales, use those coupons, and for goodness sake try and get some sleep during dead week!

Monday, November 25, 2013

We, as in my
fellow college students, all know that while you go to college you can expect
to eat mac and cheese or ramen noodles everyday of your life until you finish
with your masters or doctorate. And why is it that we have to eat the cheapest
food from the grocery store? Because, we are poor. It is so difficult to go to
make time for classes, studying, activities, AND a job!

So, those of us
supporting ourselves through college live on the bare minimum and study our
little butts off until we can walk away with a paper in our hand that states;
“YOU SURVIVED COLLEGE! GOOD LUCK WITH LIFE!” ….. Ok, so it doesn’t exactly say
that verbatim (I only used that word because I’m a college student now and
that’s what we’re supposed to do right? Sound smart and use “big” words...) But
that’s clearly beside the point.The
point is… we are going to be poor for the next 4 to 8 years. So, now that we
have accepted that, how do we plan on surviving?

I know what you’re thinking and it’s something along the
lines of “HA! This chick is crazy!” But let’s be honest, you can pay $5 or
above for one meal when you can buy groceries and have a $1 pizza instead. We
all know take out is generally faster and always less work, but us poor
students have to pinch our pennies. Plus the less money you spend on take out
is more money you can spend on going out with friends! No argument necessary
for that one.

Now, let’s not
forget an even better reason to avoid take out… Freshman Fifteen. That’s not a
joke people! We all know in high school we never truly believed in the myth of
the freshman fifteen but then we spent our first year in college and by summer
time we were looking down wondering “When the hell did I got a muffin top?!” The
important lesson in that is freshman fifteen is not specified to JUST freshman!
So, let’s not turn into the Sophomore Sixty and instead start buying some salad
and chicken instead of Whoppers and Big Macs.

I think that’s
point made on rule #1 in surviving college as a typical poor college student.
Eating take out is a no’s goes. Tune in next time for rule #2!

Once you identify the right benefit for your needs, apply. The Veterans Affairs website states that it only takes 30 minutes to apply online.(See if you are eligible for one-on-one
support, counseling, and training to boost your skills and build your
career by reviewing VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program.)Applying for education and training benefits is a three-step process:

To secure housing benefits, plan to attend school for more than half time (e.g., seven out of 12 credit hours per term).

To attend a private or graduate school, inquire about the Yellow Ribbon Program. (VA benefits may not cover all expenses—under the Yellow Ribbon Program, schools make up the difference.)

In addition, the Department of Veterans Affairs
provides the interest and aptitude assessment tool known as CareerScope
at no cost to all eligible benefit recipients. CareerScope has been
used frequently by Veterans to determine the best career path for
transition to civilian life.